he eve of the
decisive battle, which she had planned.

[Illustration: On August 18, 1914, when the Belgian Retreat to Antwerp
began.

_Allies._--A, Belgians; B, British; C, Lanrezac; D, Langle de Cary; E,
Ruffey; F, Castelnau; G, Dubail; H, Pau.

_Germans._--I, Kluck; II Buelow; III Hausen; IV, Wuerttemberg; V, Crown
Prince; VI, Bavaria; VII, Heoringen; VIII, Deimling.]

THE FRENCH OFFENSIVE

Meantime the French had mobilized with expected speed and before
mobilization was completed had pushed a raid into southern Alsace,
wholly comparable to the German raid on Liege. (Vol. II, 38.) This
advance had taken, lost and retaken Muelhausen by August 15, 1914.
(Vol. II, 41-45.) At this time the French were approaching the Rhine,
in this sector, and had crossed the Vosges and come down the Rhine
affluents for some distance.

But this was a minor operation. The main thrust of the French General
Staff, the answer to the German drive through Belgium, had long been
prepared. It was to be a swift and heavy advance through Lorraine,
between Metz and Strassburg, rolling up the German forces here,
cutting communications between these fortresses, and moving down the
Rhine Valley and menacing the rear of the German armies which had
invaded Belgium. (Vol. II, 43.)

While the German armies were beginning their main advance upon
Brussels and Namur, the French thrust was pushed out, was very
successful for several days until the French had reached the main
Metz-Strassburg railroad, and from Delme to Saarburg stood far within
the German boundary. But at this point came the first real disaster.
(Vol. II, 44.)

Resting on the hills of Delme and the marshes of the Seille, the
Germans had constructed strong fortified lines and furnished them with
heavy artillery. When the French reached these positions they were
assailed by artillery which was beyond the reach of their own guns,
they suffered heavy losses, were thrown into confusion, and presently
were flowing back upon Nancy and Luneville in something approximating
a rout, having lost flags, cannon, and many thousand prisoners. This
was the Battle of Morhange, or of Metz--as the Germans name it--and it
was over by August 22, 1914. (Vol. II, 44, 45.)

[Illustration: August 23, 1914, after the Allies had lost all the
First Battles.

_Allies._--A, Belgians; B, British; C, Lanrezac; D, Langle de Cary; E,
Ruffey; F, Castelnau; G, Dubail; H, Pau.

_Germans._--I, Kluck; II, Buelow; II